NBC’s TODAY Carson Daly Joins Project Healthy Minds® Board of Directors
New York, March 5, 2021 — Emmy Award-winning television producer, co-host of NBC’s TODAY, and host and executive producer of NBC’s “The Voice” Carson Daly – who has played an influential role in combating the crippling stigma surrounding mental health by sharing his own mental health journey publicly – will join the Board of Directors of Project Healthy Minds (PHM), a new millennial / Gen Z-driven mental health non-profit startup.
"I am thrilled to be joining the Board of Project Healthy Minds and taking my efforts to eliminate the stigma around mental heath to the next level,” said Daly. “I never expected to be talking about my mental health on television, or anywhere else for that matter. My career has been all about putting a spotlight on other people – helping them to tell their stories. But what I’ve learned through my own mental health journey is that one powerful story – even mine – unlocks thousands more. That’s why I decided to go all-in on mental health.”
Daly, who first spoke publicly about his struggle with generalized anxiety disorder on TODAY in 2018, has since used his platform to inspire fans and viewers to open up about their mental health and has interviewed celebrities about their own personal journeys, including two-time Grammy nominee Logic and NBA superstar Kevin Love. In 2020, Daly launched a new video series for NBC, “Mind Matters,” focused on destigmatizing mental health by discussing coping mechanisms with individuals who are facing challenges. Project Healthy Minds is the first mental health nonprofit that Daly has joined.
“This is the most urgent moment in American history for confronting the mental health crisis. COVID-19 has thrown gasoline all over an already-raging fire,” said Phillip Schermer, Founder & CEO of Project Healthy Minds. “There is no more important element to solving the mental health crisis than eradicating the stigma around mental health. Carson Daly is one of the most successful TV producers and highest-profile media personalities of our generation, and he has an unrivaled ability to drive the cultural conversation. We are lucky to have such a beloved public figure bring his enormous talents to destigmatizing mental health and making it easier to find mental health services.”
Project Healthy Minds’ work focuses on three key pillars:
- Building a free, consumer-friendly, one-stop digital mental health marketplace to make it easier and fast to find mental health services, and
- Designing a multi-platform anti-stigma campaign featuring culture-makers and influencers.
- Engaging the business community to expand mental health support for employees
A recent Project Healthy Minds survey found that nearly all – 96 percent – young Americans ages 18-34 reported experiencing anxiety, with 48 percent experiencing it at least frequently. Findings reveal that an alarming amount of people don’t know where to look for treatment or are simply afraid to seek help because of how mental health is depicted in society or fear of backlash from families and communities.
The mental health crisis is a complex challenge that requires an interdisciplinary approach and collaboration that brings together an unprecedented coalition of leaders across industries. Daly joins a wide range of leaders spanning business, healthcare, entertainment, technology, and public policy serving on Project Healthy Minds’ Board of Directors and Advisory Council.
About Project Healthy Minds
Project Healthy Minds is a millennial-driven non-profit startup focused on tackling one of the defining issues of our generation: the growing mental health crisis. Project Healthy Minds builds anti-stigma campaigns that change attitudes, technology that makes it easier and faster to discover help, and programs and partnerships that expand access to care.
To learn more, please visit: www.projecthealthyminds.com
Media Contact:
Robby Tepper
